Americans are well-versed in the “rags to riches” archetype, starting with the works of Horatio Alger, ingrained in historical narratives and continuing to today’s ideal of achieving the American dream. But perhaps no one better exemplifies the journey from extreme poverty to extreme wealth better than Jack Ma, multibillionaire co founder of Alibaba Group, one of the richest and most impactful entrepreneur-philanthropists in China and the world.
Born Ma Yun on September 10th, 1964 in Hangzhou, China, Ma’s parents were reportedly folk musicians and storytellers. Although Ma and his family were impoverished, the boy’s work ethic and love of learning would eventually provide a financial escape for both him and those around him. He began by teaching himself English, for yeas riding his bicycle 17 miles to the international Hangzhou Hotel to barter his services as a tour guide to foreign visitors he met in exchange for English lessons. He soon adopted the name Jack, which was given to him by a Western tourist. As Ma told Inc., “Those years deeply changed me. I started to become more globalized than most Chinese. What I learned from my teachers and books was different from what the foreign visitors told us.”
This story is from the March - April 2022 edition of Maxim.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March - April 2022 edition of Maxim.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Enzo on the Silver Screen
Michael Mann’s new biopic of Enzo Ferrari starring Adam Driver is set to make the legend burn even brighter
Some Like it HОТ
We piloted Ferrari's fantastie new open-topped grand tourer through the craggy hills of Sardinia
THE LEGEND OF ENZO
DURING HIS LIFETIME FERRARI FORGED THE ENTIRE PANTHEON OF MOTORSPORTS
THIS SIDE of PARADISE
A landmark new exhibition of Ellen von Unwerth’s work is suitably playful and provocative
FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA IN BELIZE 10-MS
The famed director of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now tells us why the Central American country has captured one of the world's greatest imaginations,
WEAPONS of WICK
Meet master engraver Melissa McMinn, who created Keanu Reeves’ dueling pistols for the hit franchise
SUDDENLY This SUMMER
Model, influencer and actress Summer Soderstrom is the blonde bombshell we're keeping our eye on
VIVA LAS VEGAS
We wade into the spectacle that was the reborn Las Vegas Grand Prix
DRINKING La DOLCE VITA
From pioneering distilling methods to the massive success of Martini Racing, the story of the most iconic name in aperitifs
FIVE-STAR STYLE
With an impressive roster of ultra-high-net-worth clients, i design powerhouse Rigby Rigby is making waves Bei on the Riviera and beyond